Thread: A couple of question

You guys are definitely right and there is a learning curve. Thank you all so much very helpful advice.

I am wondering tho, i was reading through the guides a while back and it was written that one of the advantages of straight razor shaving is the lack of irritation. Admittedly i don't get any except on the mustache and i think its because it takes several tries WTG/ATG. Is this a regular occurrence or am i doing something wrong.
Actually that is the second reason why i picked up SRS i hate having bumps and redness on the face after what used to be a chore.

so, you don't have a strop yet???

stop using the razor, i am pretty sure it is not suitable for shaving anymore and it may already need not just stropping, but honing.

I think the rust issue is a result of improper drying. I live in south Louisiana, and it doesn't get much more humid than it does here, and I keep my razors in my bathroom with no problems with rust. I never oil my blades, but I do dry them extremely well and I store them in a partially open position. I really think that if you pay close attention to your drying technique the rust problems will go away. And if you slow down on your shaving, it just might go better. I've been shaving with straights for quite a while and get consistently good shaves without getting cuts, but even now, with experience, it often takes me 30 minutes to shave. I take it slow and easy and enjoy the experience. Good luck with it all and let us know how it goes.

Guigi: How would I know if it needs honing given that I don't have a strop? Sadly i have stopped, i don't think i could go back to regular safe razor shaving...i tried it and it was so...regular.
I was wondering, if you hone a lot, meaning 200+ strokes would that not be like honing because it still sharpens no?

sffone: your right and the ritual is awesome, i don't think i could go back to regular shaving its so much fun and so neat and perfect when you get it right that it feels like an accomplishment.

Originally Posted by DanielG

How would I know if it needs honing given that I don't have a strop?

I don't think it's possible to shave on daily basis with a cutthroat razor if you can't strop the razor between shaves. Without coming to grief of some sort.

Originally Posted by DanielG

Guigi: How would I know if it needs honing given that I don't have a strop? Sadly i have stopped, i don't think i could go back to regular safe razor shaving...i tried it and it was so...regular.
I was wondering, if you hone a lot, meaning 200+ strokes would that not be like honing because it still sharpens no?

Well, you wouldn't know. Also 200 strokes is not too much. A member, mparker762 has posted about stropping a slightly dull razor to shave again and that was about 1500 laps on I believe linen (more abrasive than cotton). If I'm not mistaken he dulled the razor by cutting a piece of cardboard, which is not the same as the damage from oxidation, which can get pretty bad unless the razor is stropped regularly.

It's really hard to tell what is the condition of the edge, but it will definitely need at least good stropping. If the oxidation has microchipped the edge the shave will be a bit rough until it gets rehoned.

Originally Posted by gugi

Well, you wouldn't know. Also 200 strokes is not too much. A member, mparker762 has posted about stropping a slightly dull razor to shave again and that was about 1500 laps on I believe linen (more abrasive than cotton). If I'm not mistaken he dulled the razor by cutting a piece of cardboard, which is not the same as the damage from oxidation, which can get pretty bad unless the razor is stropped regularly.

It's really hard to tell what is the condition of the edge, but it will definitely need at least good stropping. If the oxidation has microchipped the edge the shave will be a bit rough until it gets rehoned.

A friend sent me a razor with oxidation on the edge the other day and the edge looked like a the edges of a peppermint that had been sucked on for 35 minutes or so... It was really eye-opening to see what it does (he didn't have a strop either). I have rehoned it and included a TM practice strop to go along with it...